Robson and Murray’s double-act proves a hit

The two hottest names in British tennis have teamed up to form a successful double-act that could lay the foundations for a tilt at Olympic Gold.

Andy Murray and Laura Robson are playing mixed doubles in the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia and will take on the Spanish duo Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Tommy Robredo in the final on Saturday.

The Brits were unbeaten in the group stage and overcame Kazakhstan, Russia and Germany on their way to the final.

The tournament format sees both players take on their opposite numbers in a singles contest before teaming up for a mixed-doubles game. So far Murray has been in imperious form, winning all three of his singles matches, although Robson has lost all three of hers. But together they have won each deciding game of doubles.

Murray, who has been criticised for behaving like a teenager in the past, obviously gets on with 15-year-old Laura Robson, who won junior Wimbledon in 2008.

The good natured banter between the two has gone down a storm with the Australian public and the pair have become the talk of the tournament.

Their press conferences have proved lively affairs with plenty of mickey taking. "I've only known her for a year and a half and we haven't said too many nice things to each other during that time," Murray announced earlier in the week. "I guess that's just the way our relationship is."

Earlier Murray accused his partner's concentration of slipping. "It was around about 5-0 in the first set she asked me if I moisturise my hands," he revealed. "I was thinking she wasn't taking this too seriously."

That prompted Robson to respond: "Have you seen his hands? They are pretty disgusting. It was a good question I thought."

There has also been speculation that the partnership could last until the 2012 Olympics. Indeed Murray said he asked Robson about forming a team, but jokingly implied that he had been rebuffed.

The exposure will do Robson no harm. The highly-rated youngster turns 16 later this month and is battling to establish herself on the senior circuit, while Murray is now the world number four and can pass on plenty of useful advice.

For Murray the event is a warm up before the Australian Open later this month where he will resume his quest to become the first Briton to win a grand slam tournament since 1936.

The good PR his partnership with Robson is generating could also help a player who is not universally loved by crowds beyond Wimbledon. ·